US Bridges

F Ave. over Bell Creek

Fair

Fayette County, Iowa · 094070802 · Structure no. 000000000151930

Built
1916
109 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
43 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

F Ave. over Bell Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying F Ave. over Bell Creek in Fayette County, Iowa. It was built in 1916, so it is 109 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 15 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2043. The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesF Ave.
CrossesBell Creek
Location094070802
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFayette County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.97649, -91.70526
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.6 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length43 ft (13.1 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width16 ft (5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2022)
Projected traffic15 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$41,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was F Ave. over Bell Creek built?

It was built in 1916, making it 109 years old in 2025.

What condition is F Ave. over Bell Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does F Ave. over Bell Creek carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is F Ave. over Bell Creek?

The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns F Ave. over Bell Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.